NLTP Bulletin

Welcome to the NLTP Bulletin, our newsletter with information about management of the current National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and what we're working on for the development of the 2021-24 NLTP.

2021-24 NLTP development update

• We're moving into the moderation, assessment and prioritisation phase for continuous programmes for the 2021-24 NLTP.
   
• Thanks to everyone for getting your continuous programme bids in on time and for working with us with the interim solution as we continue our work to improve Transport Investment Online (TIO).
   
• We've now started collating and analysing these bids and we can already see that the funding being sought is above the upper funding limit for each activity class.
   
• At this early stage we note that there will be significant demand for available funding across all activity classes.
   
• We'll continue to work closely with you to build up the pipeline of work so that you are in the best position to have your projects funded in the future.
   
• We're here to help you with this process and will continue to provide you with regular guidance and information.
  
  View the 2021-24 NLTP development guidance shared in the previous NLTP Bulletin
   
• If you have any questions, please contact your investment advisor or email us - nltp@nzta.govt.nz.

New templates for LCLR and improvements activities

• We've updated the spreadsheets for Low Cost Low Risk (LCLR) programmes and Improvement activities, which need to be submitted on 30 October.
  
  See the new templates
   
• The changes include new columns to capture information on the Investment Prioritisation Method (IPM), including:
  
   - LCLR Programmes – for each LCLR project, new columns in the Activity List tab will need to be completed. These capture the project’s primary alignment to the GPS and the GPS alignment rating. On the Bid tab, requested budget will need to be entered against the activity class, primary alignment to the GPS and the GPS alignment rating.
  
   - Improvement Template – for each improvement activity, we have added new columns which to be completed. These capture the efficiency rating, GPS priority area and alignment rating, scheduling rating and the priority order.
   
• The IPM profile information should be completed based on the draft IPM currently under consultation.
   
• The IPM profile is your best estimate. The estimate will go through initial moderation, with a more accurate IPM profile provided when final submissions are made. 
  
  See more on the draft IPM

Transport Investment Online (TIO)

• We’re making changes in TIO to reflect the recent improvements to the Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF) and feedback from the development of the 2018-21 NLTP.
   
• The below dates are when the templates will be available in TIO. Any further changes are being introduced over time.
  
  - early November - Activity Management Plans & Continuous Programmes (Maintenance, Operations and Renewals, Public Transport - including Road Safety Promotion), including benefits and RLTP alignment.
  
  - late December - Low Cost Low Risk programme
  
  - early February - Major Improvements (including IDMF tools - Appraisal Summary Table, Benefits)
  
  - late February - RLTP reporting, data extract
  
  - March - Geospatial Module (for improvement activity templates)

Activity class and work category update

• We continue to review and update activity class and work category information to reflect GPS requirements and the IDMF review changes.
   
• We're preparing information for investment management and improvement bids, for release later this month.
  
  Read the guidance we released last month on changes to continuous programme work categories
   
• For the remainder of the 2018-21 NLTP, please continue to apply the existing activity class and work category information.
  
  See the 2018-21 NLTP activity class and work category information

Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal

	Our Board has agreed the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal should target maintaining existing service levels and then high priority and effective improvements.   In line with this, the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal is focused on:   - completing projects already underway   - improving safety outcomes   - getting the most from our existing transport system   - investing in projects that deliver priority outcomes and complement current projects, where this is affordable    - improving services across the network through low cost, low risk capital investments.   There will also be a focus on investing in more reliable, sustainable public transport services and using new technology to move more people, more efficiently using a variety of travel options.   We currently expect the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal to be released in October 2020.

Investment Prioritisation Method consultation

• Consultation on the draft Investment Prioritisation Method (the draft IPM) for the 2021-24 NLTP is open now and will close on 2 November 2020.
   
• The draft IPM will replace the Investment Assessment Framework for the 2021-24 period. It has been developed in response to the GPS 2021 and will be used to prioritise activities in the 2021-24 NLTP.
   
• We're holding online information sessions for Approved Organisations during the consultation period, with an overview presentation and time for Q&A. 
   
• The next online session is Thursday, 15 October from 1-2pm. If you would like to attend, please email us for the meeting link - decisionmaking@nzta.govt.nz.  
  
  See full details about the draft IPM consultation on our website

2018-21 NLTP management

	Enhanced FAR for LED street lighting finishes soon  The Targeted Enhanced Funding Assistance Rate (TEFAR) for LED streetlight replacement programmes will not be continuing into the 2021-24 NLTP.   We would like to remind all Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) that the 85% TEFAR will finish on 30 June 2021.   To be eligible for the 85% TEFAR, the cost of equipment supply (including luminaire supply) will only be eligible if the equipment has been installed on or before 30 June 2021.   Waka Kotahi reserves the right to reduce the FAR of any work carried over into 2021/22 below normal FAR to recoup some of the cost of equipment which has not been installed by the deadline, i.e. the difference between an organisation’s normal FAR and the 85% FAR.   For the 2021-24 NLTP and beyond, replacement of LEDs should be included in the Maintenance Programme under WC 222 (Traffic services renewals).   If you have any questions about the TEFAR for LED street lighting, please email nltp@nzta.govt.nz.

Benefits storymap tool now available

• We've updated the central data tool, the Benefits Storymap, to help you access nationally consistent data about investment performance.
   
• The Benefits Storymap aids decision making for business case writers, transport planners, and anyone who carries out benefits management practices.
   
• It can be used in conjunction with the new Benefits Framework, which brings together a consistent set of benefits and measures to be used in the NLTP.
   
• The Benefits Storymap is organised in the same way as the Benefits Framework, so when you’re identifying benefits for planning or investments, you can use the same five transport outcomes to navigate your way through both. 
   
• The Benefits Storymap provides the data to support that process and to assist in spatially visualising current and past performance against each of the measures with data. This will help to identify problems and enable evidence-based decision making. 
   
• We created a video to help introduce the Benefits Storymap, see the video here.
   
• If you'd like access to the Benefits Storymap, please email us - investment.benefits@nzta.govt.nz.
   
• The Benefits framework and management approach guidelines together with the Non-monetised benefits manual provide guidance on how to select the best benefits and measures for the NLTP process you are working in. 
  
  View the Benefits framework and management approach guidelines
  
  View the Non-monetised benefits manual

Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs)

	We’re reviewing the draft RLTPs this month to check on their completeness and whether further improvements could be made, before being endorsed by the Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) for consultation.   This is part of a continuous improvement exercise to improve the value of RLTPs in the NLTP process.   We’ve continued our work with the Transport Special Interest Group (TSIG) on a consistent approach to the development and preparation of RLTPs.   Together with TSIG, we produced suggested tables for the RLTP programme section. These complement existing RLTP guidance and templates.   The RLTP tables suggest minimum content for the RLTP programme that can be usefully captured in table form. These tables are guidance only, and RTCs may wish to amend the tables to suit the needs of their community. View the RLTP table templates   Rail guidance for RLTPs RLTPs look at the whole regional land transport system, including rail and road-based transport.   The NLTF now has provision to fund the maintenance, renewal and improvements to the heavy rail network through the Rail Network activity class in the GPS 2021.   A heavy rail network investment programme is being development by KiwiRail through the Rail Network Investment Programme (RNIP).   Any call on the NLTF will be made through the RNIP and therefore rail activities do not need to be reflected in RLTPs (other than significant rail improvement activities in Auckland and Wellington).   Rail continues to have a role to play in this region for the movement of freight and the provision of additional reliance as an alternative transport mode.   Safety through improvements to level crossings will continue to be a key matter that councils and KiwiRail will continue to work together.

Funding public transport services for 2021-24 NLTP

• We've clarified the funding guidelines for how on-demand services will be funded through the NLTF, with there being increasing interest in trialling these services as part of broader public transport networks.
   
• Shared on-demand services can be funded through the public transport services activity class, as long as they meet the definition of public transport in the GPS.
   
• For the GPS 2021, this includes services that are contracted by local or central government and identified in Regional Public Transport Plans (RPTPs) as integral to the public transport network.
   
• This applies to services that are being proposed as permanent – there can be some flexibility for trials depending on the scale, as for regular bus services.
   
• These can be funded through work categories 511 (passenger services – bus) or 532 (low cost low risk public transport improvements) depending on what is proposed, and our normal business case processes and assessment criteria will apply.
   
• If regions are considering introducing on-demand public transport services, we recommend they signal this as an area of investigation as new RPTPs are developed, including outlining how it will complement and enhance the regular public transport network.
   
• However, note that the regulatory aspects of the LTMA don’t currently apply to on-demand services, which means they don’t need to be put into units or procured via the public transport operating model process.

More information

For more information on the NLTP, you can visit our website or contact us online.